Chile is one of the most geographically improbable countries on Earth—a sliver of land stretching nearly 2,700 miles from the driest desert in the world to the stormy channels of Patagonia, squeezed between the Andes and the Pacific. Nowhere else can you move from flamingo-studded salt lakes at 14,000 feet to ancient temperate rainforest dripping with moss, passing through fertile valleys, dramatic volcanic landscapes, and one of the most productive marine coastlines on the planet.

Our 15-day tour begins in Santiago, where wetlands on the edge of the city give way to two of central Chile's most dramatic landscapes: the high Andes of the El Yeso Valley, where snow, glaciers, and mineral-rich geology combine to create one of the most staggeringly beautiful mountain environments in South America—and where the Andean Condor soars above ridgelines and the sought-after Diademed Sandpiper-Plover picks along frigid streams; and the rugged Pacific coast and La Campana National Park, home to one of the world's last remaining stands of Chilean Wine Palm and endemic birds like the Moustached Turca and Humboldt Penguin.

From Santiago we fly north to the Atacama Desert—the driest place on Earth—where life clings to narrow coastal valleys cutting through an otherwise nearly lifeless landscape, sheltering remarkable species like the critically endangered Chilean Woodstar. We then ascend to the altiplano of Lauca National Park, a vast, wind-swept plateau above 13,000 feet ringed by snow-capped volcanoes and dotted with shimmering lakes. Here, unique high-elevation wetlands called bofedales support a surprising concentration of wildlife—including all three of Chile's flamingo species gathered in the shadow of the Parinacota volcano—in an otherworldly landscape.

Returning south, we enter the ancient forests of Conguillío National Park, where sacred Monkey Puzzle Trees frame the still-active Llaima Volcano across a landscape of lava fields and glacially carved lakes that feels genuinely primeval—and where the spectacular Magellanic Woodpecker haunts the mature forest with resonant drumming. The tour concludes in the temperate rainforests of the Lake District, where cathedral stands of thousand-year-old alerce trees shelter secretive tapaculos and the extraordinary Des Murs's Wiretail, and on the island of Chiloé—a place of wooden stilt-houses and painted churches, and home to the world's only location where Humboldt and Magellanic Penguins breed side by side. Chile's landscapes are dramatic, its ecosystems are unlike anywhere else on Earth, and its wildlife is endlessly surprising. We hope you'll join us!

Itinerary at a Glance

Day 1 - Oct 25

Arrive in Santiago and transfer to our hotel. Afternoon birding at Batuco Wetlands, where we search for Many-colored Rush Tyrant, Wren-like Rushbird, Rosy-billed Pochard, and Aplomado Falcon. Evening dinner and bird list review.

Day 2 - Oct 26

Full day in the El Yeso Valley, deep in the central Andes. We target high-elevation specialists including the Diademed Sandpiper-Plover, Andean Condor, White-sided Hillstar, and Plumbeous Sierra-Finch.

Day 3 - Oct 27

Morning birding at La Campana National Park for Chilean endemics including the Moustached Turca, Chilean Tinamou, and White-throated Tapaculo. Afternoon on the Pacific coast for Seaside Cinclodes and Humboldt Penguins.

Day 4 - Oct 28

Morning birding along coastal wetlands for Dusky Tapaculo, Inca Tern, and Guanay Cormorant. Afternoon visit to the colorful UNESCO World Heritage city of Valparaíso.

Day 5 - Oct 29

Morning birding at the Maipo River mouth for Dusky Tapaculo, American Oystercatcher, and Black Skimmer. Afternoon flight north to Arica on the edge of the Atacama Desert.

Day 6 - Oct 30

Early birding in the coastal valleys of Camarones and Chaca in search of the critically endangered Chilean Woodstar, Oasis Hummingbird, and Peruvian Sheartail. Afternoon ascent to Putre at 11,500 feet.

Day 7 - Oct 31

Full day on the altiplano in Lauca National Park. We search for all three of Chile's flamingo species, Andean Geese, Gray-breasted Seedsnipe, and Glacier Finch. Optional nocturnal excursion for Band-winged Nightjar and Peruvian Pygmy Owl.

Day 8 - Nov 1

Further exploration of the high plateau in Las Vicuñas Reserve, targeting Lesser Rhea, Puna Tinamou, Mountain Parakeet, and Black-throated Flowerpiercer. Stop at the Lluta Valley on the way back down to Arica.

Day 9 - Nov 2

Early flight south to Santiago, then onward to Temuco in the Araucanía region. Afternoon transfer to Conguillío National Park, with time for early birding around the lodge.

Day 10 - Nov 3

Full day in Conguillío National Park, birding Monkey Puzzle forest and volcanic lakeshore. Top targets include the Magellanic Woodpecker, Austral and Slender-billed Parakeets, and Spectacled Duck.

Day 11 - Nov 4

Morning birding in Conguillío for Rufous-legged Owl, Ashy-headed Goose, and Upland Goose. Midday drive south to Puerto Varas in the Lake District, with birding stops along the way.

Day 12 - Nov 5

Full day in Alerce Andino National Park, birding ancient alerce forest for Chucao, Ochre-flanked, and Black-throated Tapaculos, and the delicate Des Murs's Wiretail.

Day 13 - Nov 6

A second day of deep rainforest birding in Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park, pursuing Magellanic Woodpecker, Chilean Pigeon, Fire-eyed Diucon, and White-throated Treerunner.

Day 14 - Nov 7

Ferry crossing to Chiloé Island. We bird the Caulín Sanctuary and Chacao wetlands for Kelp Goose, Flightless Steamer-Duck, and Hudsonian Godwit, then take a boat trip to the Puñihuil Penguin Colony. Farewell dinner in Puerto Varas.

Day 15 - Nov 8

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for departures. ¡Buen viaje!

SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: $1,120

START DATE: Oct 25, 2027

DURATION: 15 days

GROUP SIZE: Up to 12

TRIP FOCUS: Birding and Wildlife

ACTIVITY LEVEL: Moderate

WHAT'S INCLUDED

• Double-occupancy lodging
• Ground transportation
• Breakfasts, lunches, and dinners
• Excursions and park fees
• Guiding services

YOUR GUIDES

Ivan Phillipsen, Co-owner of Wild Latitudes, is a passionate naturalist with a background in scientific research. He holds an M.S. in biology and a Ph.D. in zoology. Natural history is Ivan’s true passion and what he is most excited to teach to others. Although he is fascinated by just about every aspect of nature, Ivan is particularly fond of birds, reptiles, amphibians, insects, plants, and geology. Everything is interconnected in nature and Ivan takes a holistic approach when teaching about the natural world.